rwiur On April 24-28, 1963, at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York, 85 Delegates and 30 Trustees, Directors and Staff

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEAPER…

Members of G.SO.and “Grapevine” will get together and

I3r

CO/v1 ANNUAL

DELEGAI t_ GSO CONFERENC –

give serious thought to A,A.’s present and future service responsibilities. It is a time when the Fellowship rededicates its efforts, mindful of ’’Our Common Welfare,” so that we will continue to grow in world-wide usefulness.

c

In the April 1952 issue of the “Grapevine,” the Edit-

anal page commented: “In future years, A,A,’s from beyond the oceans may well sit in this advisory assembly.” Since then, Observers from various countries have been present. This year Finland is sending its first Observer

E HAVE NO LEAPERS .. JUST TRSEP SERVANTS’

–

Do

to this Conference. Another first: the Internationalists (seamen) will also have an Observer. This year’s agenda includes the following special presentations:

A running feature of the Conference program will be

1. Report on “Sharing Sessions,” conducted in two General Service Conference Areas, and action aT-

three-minute reports (Area Highlights) from Delegates on A,A, progress in their Areas and on Area problems and solutions,

I

recting the future or such sessions, 2, ’’Making General Services Self-Supporting.” Pre-

Along with other discussion subjects, there will be

sentations from Area Delegates, giving plans used

three nominating sessions to select Regional Trustee

in their respective Areas to help G.S.O. be self-

candidates, (See page 4)

supporting. 3,

Table Topics

I

I.

in which all Delegates will parI

I

ticipate in the generation or ideas and suggestions to solve a number of group and area problems.

Complete reports of the Conference will be published and distributed to Delegates and Committee Members. A special 8-page bulletin

Conference Highlights ’ will

be mailed to all groups, Loners, Internationalists, Area , Our Common vVelrare in which Delegates will

Delegates and Committee Members in June.

discuss ways of keeping “old-timers” and “middletimers” interested.

LOVE IS SHARED

5, “The Fellowship Takes Its Own Inventory” wherein A.A. takes a good look at itself,

“Hey, -F’otks! Your ctin8e u!IetiW View onV,ie bIIetvi ….

board”

A dear A.A. writes “My last drunk was over the holidays eight years ago, my anniversary being January 3, so

/

’

these days especially, always remind me of that rising from the dead How tremendously wonderful it is to be

.

able to feel real gratitude and love. I’m enclosing my ’ .

’

Birthday Plan Contribution which I think is a fine idea of someone’s.” (Birthday Plan material available free from

_1*1*ltIllI1I

ANONYMITY

The Anonymity piece in the February issue of this Bulletin brought in many lively comments. Some correspondents felt that there was an implication of our questioning the validity of Tradition Twelve, the one that bears on the principles involved in anonymity. Heaven forfend! Rather, we reminded ourselves as A. A,’s that anonymity has a significance beyond the simple one of concealment of identity, a spiritual significance which ever reminds us to place “principles above personalities,” We also reminded ourselves – or at least intended to – that anonymity is still very important to most newcorners. The whole story was sparked by the many letters we received expressing concern that full names are being used to publicize A.A. meetings. Also, that information about such meetings is mailed on open postcards, including the name Alcoholics Anonymous, and the names and addresses of A.A,’s who have not consented to such use. A number of people reminded us of the practical aspects of preserving the anonymity of ourselves and others at the public level. Some examples: Loss of lobs and job opportunities; members of the alcoholic’s immediate family being molested by very sick drunks (non-A.A,’s) when the alcoholic’s A.A. identity was made public knowledge in a small community; court decisions that were perhaps

“In most places, but not all, it is customary forA,A,’s

influenced by public statements concerning the plaintiff’s

to use their own names when speaking before public or

affiliation with A.A.

semi-public gatherings. This is done to impress audiences that we no longer fear the stigma of alcoholism. If, how-

But, there were lust as many people who felt that they

ever, newspaper reporters are present they are earnestly

wanted to shout their A. A. membership from the house-

requested not to use the names of any of the alcoholic

tops, and who had done untold good, apparently, by let-

speakers on the program. This preserves the principle of

ting everyone in the community know that they were in

anonymity so far as the general public is concerned and

A.A. (not at the public level, of course),

at the same time represents us as a group of alcoholics who no longer fear to let our friends know that we have

One writer reminded us of a passage from “A.A. Tradition and How it Developed” that bears quoting: “Of course no A. A. need be anonymous to family, friends, or neighbors. Disclosure there is

usually right

and good. Nor is there any special danger when we speak at group or semi-public A.A. meetings, provided press re-

been very sick people. “As a matter of fact, few of us are anonymous so for as our doily contacts go. We have dropped anonymity at this level because we think our friends and associates ought to know about Alcoholics Anonymous and what it has done for us. We also wish to lose the fear of admitting that we ore alcoholics,

ports reveal first names only.

“Though we

earnestly request reporters not to dis-

close our identities,

REWARDS

IN

we frequently speak

before semi-

public gatherings under our right names. We wish to im-

A, A,

press audiences that our alcoholism is a sickness we no From Wakita, Okla., comes a heartwarming note about the little group there: “Our town is small

–

600 popula-

tion, our group is small, six in number but we have been richly rewarded many times

since we started A.A. busi-

ness a year ago in October. What we lock in quantity is made up in spirit, for which we are grateful. We do a lot of visiting of othergroups, and other groups come to share

longer fear to discuss before anyone.” And our friend also reminded us of an editorial in the “Grapevine” of August 1953 which said: ’’The concept of anonymity today means to all of us the humility which comes

from

the

willingness

to serve, without hope of

gaining reward or recognition and not as a device to hide an alcoholic post,”

their experiences, hope and strength with us. Amen to that! Thanks for writing and sharing,

, Pin it on -the buIIetn ’ board!”

’hat should do wit;h the Xchan8e

There were also many good answers about the

[II

“bossy” person who is seemingly disturbing the group so that newcomers are driven away. Everyone seemed to feel that it should be suggested to the newcomer that “We are in this program to help each other to stay sober, not for likes and dislikes” — that individual sobriety comes

QUESTION BOX *Vie had such good answers to the questions deal-

ing with group problems (February issue) that we thought it would be useful to go on

first, that it will be to his advantage to overlook the bossy person and to begin the practice of tolerance. One letter said, ’’It is up to more sober, quiet, and mature members of the group to approach the bossy one and have a private talk with him, When our group gets one of these ’super men,’ the chairman or speakers make a

APRIL QUESTION

point of discussing ’humility’ and kindred subjects at our meetings. One thing we did was to assign such a charac-

What is your experience with specialized groups

ter to the ’dishes’ (washing), He could not refuse (his

only of members of spe-

pride) and understood,” To sum up: most answers empha-

or groups that are mode up

cific professions? How well do they serve our prim-

sized a quiet talk with the offender and prayer for our-

ary purpose of carrying the message 1- 0 the still suf-

selves and for him as the best ways to go about handling

fering alcoholic?

our own distressed feelings, and to remind ourselves of “Live and Let Live,”

MORE ON “KEEP IT SIMPLE” The February issue posed some questions about

We have been taken to task for the item in the Febru-

group problems. We have received some thoughtful replies.

ary Bulletin which referred to Dr. Bob’s oft-quoted words,

The letters that referred to the problem of the drug addict, a non-alcoholic, who had approached the local group for help, were almost unanimous in their feeling that such a person should be made to feel welcome to the group; but that Bill’s article on this problem which appeared in the February 1958- issue of the “Grapevine” be kept in mind. The article was called “Problems Other than Alcohol,” Bill states: “There is no possible way to make non-alcoholics into A.A. members, We have to confine our membership to

“Keep It Simple,” Our informant tells us that these words did not refer to his last talk in Cleveland but came from another source entirely. He quotes from the September, 1948 issue of the “Grapevine.” Dr. Bob wrote: “A/coh0/cs Anonymous was nurtured in its early days around a kitchen table. Many of our pioneer groups, some of our most restful meetings and best programs have had their origin around that piece of furniture with the

modest

coffee pot handy on the

stove.

alcoholics and we have to confine our A.A. groups to a single purpose. If we don’t stick to these principles, we

“True, we have progressed materially to better

shall almost surely collapse, And if we collapse we can’t

furniture and more comfortable surroundings, yet the

help anyone.”

kitchen table must ever be appropriate for us. It is

“Later, he says, “-We cannot give A.A. membership to non-alcoholic narcotic addicts. But like anyone else they should be able to attend certain open A.A. meetings, provided, of course, that the groups themselves are willing,” “Several Narcotics Anonymous groups hold regular

the perfect symbol of simplicity. In A.A. we have no V.I.P.’s nor have we need of any. Our organization needs no titleholders,

nor grandiose buildings. That is by design. Experience has taught us that simpli-

city is basic in preservation of our personal sobriety and helping those in need.

meetings. One suggestion offered was that the addict try to find another addict to help and form such a group, using our A.A. principles as a guide,

“Far better it is for us to fully understand the meaning and practice of ’Thou good and faithful servant’ than to listen to ’With 60,000 members you

“There were also letters that cited instances of ad-

should have a 60 stories high administration head-

dicts who had been helped through A.A. and who had re-

quarters in New York with an assortment of trained

covered with the help of an A.A. group. To sum up: the

“ists” to direct your affairs. ’We need nothing of the

Steps of A.A. can he used, and have been used, to help

sort. God grant that A.A. may ever stay simple.”

people with other problems. They are, of course, freely offered to anyonewho can usethem as an aid to recovery.

We share with our correspondent the fervent hope that

In general, however, experience has shown that to be ef-

A.A. may always retain the simplicity that Dr. Bob em-

fective, A.A. must ’’stick to its last” – that of helping

phasized: simplicity of organization, simplicity of pro-

the alcoholic.

gram, simplicity in the lives of A,A.’s,

April 5.7. Twelfth Kentucky State Conference

*THREE NEW A.A. TRUSTEES

Phoenix Hotel, Lexington, Kentucky

April 12.14. A.A. Conference_Convention 1963 at Port Elizabeth

The following names have been received as candidates

Write: General Service Office, P.O. Box 2134

for Regional Trusteeships that is, Directors of the Gen-

Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa

eral Service Board:

April 13-14.

Third Australian Convention

Write: A.A., Box 26, Nedlands, Western Australia

April 19-21.

10th Indiana State Convention

Hotel Severin, Indianapolis, Indiana Write: 414 Peoples Bank Building, Indianapolis, Ind,

April 20.

Southeastern New York Convention

Ethical Cultural Society

Pacific Region

Southwest Region

Tom C., Oregon

Ed D., Colorado

Charles R., Idaho

Roy S., Oklahoma

Ed C., Indiana

Jim M., Calif.

Jim P., Arkansas

Howard B., Ohio

Bert W., Arizona

Bill C., New Mexico

Ward M., Illinois

O.C.P., Alaska

Rex H., Utah

Write: General Service Conference Committee, P.O. Box 1850

Ben S., Hawaii

Paul M., Kansas

General Post Office, New York 1, N.Y.

Jerry M., Washington

Olin L,, Texas

April 20.21.

Al. T., Michigan

A.A. Convention, England and Wales,

Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate

April 21.

East Central

18th Annual Baltimore, Maryland Banquet

During the General Service Conference in April, the Nominating Committee of the General Service Board and

Blue Crest North, 401 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, Md.

the Conference Committee on Trustees will meet with the

Write: Banquet Committee,900 Fairmount Ave., Baltimore 4, Md.

Area Delegates of the states involved to select three

April 27.28. Third Chicago Intergroup Conference Write: Conference Committee, 3304 N. Osceola Avenue

nominees from these three Regions, using Third Legacy procedures.

Chicago 34, Illinois

April 27-28. Sixth All-Ireland Convention Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry Write: Cork Group, Basement Flat, 11 Patrick’s Hill, County Kerry, Cork, Ireland

The nominating meetings will be held one after the other with all Conference members looking on. Two will be new Trustees and one will be a replacement for Pat C. of Minnesota whose terms as Trustees is expiring.

May 3-5. Eastern Townships Bilingual Conference New Sherbrooke Hotel, Sherbrooke, Quebec Write: P.O. Box 434, Sherbrooke, Quebec

May 10.12.

Sixth New Mexico State A.A. Conference

Carrigo Lodge, Ruidoso, New Mexico

“OUR CRITICS CAN BE OUR BENEFACTORS”

Write: P.O. Box 1431, Roswell, New Mexico

May 17.19.

Central New York Area Conference

This is the title of an article appearing in the April

Arlington Hotel, Binghamton, New York

“Grapevine.” The “Grapevine” comments: “A recent

Write: P.O. Box 5, East Side Station, Binghamton, New York

magazine article criticizing certain aspects of A.A. re-

May 17.19.

Twenty-four Cook Forest Conference

Cooksburg, Pennsylvania

minds us of the need to review our relationship to medicine, religion and to the world at large.”

Write: Cook Forest Conference, P.O. Box 265, Verona Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

May 18-19. Northern Arizona Regional Conference S rite: Box 445, Sedono, Arizona

May 18.19.

Cochrane-Temiskaming Fourth, Annual Conference

Write: Italian Club, 37 Prospect Ave., Kirkland, Ontario

May 24.26. 12th Annual Tennessee State Convention

When the ’”Grapevine” Editors consulted Bill W. on the matter, he suggested a rereading of relevant portions of “Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age” (published in 1957) and “Twelve Concepts for World Service” (published in 1962). The article is composed on excerpts from this material.

Memphis, Tennessee Write: Chairman, State Convention 324 Dermon Building, Memphis, Tennessee

May 26.27.

Downstate Spring Conference

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO G.S.O.

Orlando Hotel, Decatur, Illinois

May 31.1.

Sixth International Conference Young People in A.A.

ALABAMA: Convention Fund Committee

……

$500.00

…………….

$ 11,40

Write: Drawer X, Tryon, North Carolina

ARIZONA: Bisbee Group

Arizona State Convention

“Where’s your GSR7 – or your Gecretary?

I wa nna be pinned or tbe bIIet-in

……..

$479.75

NEW YORK: Central New York Area Committee. .$ 15.00 TEXAS: Southeast Texas Conference

……..

$238.96

board!”

ALBERTA: Edmonton 10-Year Breakfast

……

$112.00